February 1, 2022
Word: Curl
Pov:
Seiji Ito
The scorching sunlight streaming through the window beside me was a thorn in my side during the seemingly long-winded afternoon classes. Slouching down pretending to sleep, I wondered why I chose this seat in the first place. Was it because I adored the fluttering cherry blossom petals during spring? Either way, I forgot how hot the summer was. A clumsy misstep.
"Classes ended, sleepy head," a gentle smack at the back of the head startled me. Looking over my shoulder, a familiar face appeared before me.
"Hasegawa-san," I said.
"How many times do I have to remind you," she crossed her arms, holding a folder in her right hand. "... just call me Maho."
Getting out of my seat, I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder and said, "I don't even know you well enough to call you that."
Turning towards her, my gaze fell upon her short curly red hair. I always seem to forget her short height. I need to remind myself to look down when talking to Hasegawa-san.
"Don't mind the details, Seiji," she beamed.
"What's that on your hand?" I asked, curious.
"Oh this? Our homeroom teacher told me to bring the handouts to Saki's place."
"Is that so?"
That reason the day felt longer was because Saki was absent. Without her, I feel a bit lonely… simply because I cannot kill time by messing with her.
"That's why I came here," she said, stretching the folder towards me. "Do me a favor and hand these for me."
"Can't you do it yourself?"
"I'm needed at my part-time job. So I won't be able to take a detour," she said with a palm on her cheek and closing her eyes, emphasizing her disappointment due to the unfortunate circumstances. What a drama queen.
"Go in my stead, Seiji," she winked, sticking her tongue out.
Accepting Hasegawa's request doesn't sound so bad. Taking a stroll back home as the sun sets in the evening sky does sound like a change of pace. Plus, I'll be doing her a favor . I should be asking for compensation in return.
Letting out a sigh, I said, "Fine, I'll bring the handouts to her place…"
"Yay!" she celebrated, throwing her hands up.
"... only if you treat me to dinner at your part-time job."
"Wow, Seiji. I knew you passionately watched anime but I didn't know you would stoop this low," she said with a sneer.
"Wait, what does that exactly mean?" I said with a brow raised. "I heard from Saki that you work as a waitress in an eatery not far from school. She even praised that the pastries were delicious with stars in her eyes. So I assumed it was a cafe."
"Saki is so adorable," she chuckled.
The empty classroom was filled with Hasegawa-san's burst of laughter, turning the heads of the students outside. I tilted my head, oblivious of her reason for laughing.
"Sorry sorry," she apologized. "I'll treat the two of you to dinner once her sickness passes by. So you better look forward to it."
A chill ran down my spine. For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.
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"Welcome back, master," a group of girls wearing maid outfits greeted as the bells of the entrance door rang throughout the store.